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What Causes Reddish Rash On The Hand And Ankle Post Intake Of Cephalexin?
Question:
XXXXXXX YYYY@YYYY
About a week ago I scraped my right hand and left ankle in a fall on pavement. i treated it with alcohol and polysporin. In 2 days I had a red, rash-like surface on my hand and ankle and on my other leg and and had it
to the wrist in both hands. The rash was associated with swelling in those areas.
What is it and what can I take for it?
XXXXXXX YYYY@YYYY
About a week ago I scraped my right hand and left ankle in a fall on pavement. i treated it with alcohol and polysporin. In 2 days I had a red, rash-like surface on my hand and ankle and on my other leg and and had it
to the wrist in both hands. The rash was associated with swelling in those areas.
What is it and what can I take for it?
Brief Answer:
need more information and preferably image
Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
I woild like to know if the rash is itchy? Did you consume any oral medication prior to it? e.g a pain killer or antibiotic? Can you upload a few representative images of the affected areas? kindly upload images in "Reports Section".
Regards
need more information and preferably image
Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
I woild like to know if the rash is itchy? Did you consume any oral medication prior to it? e.g a pain killer or antibiotic? Can you upload a few representative images of the affected areas? kindly upload images in "Reports Section".
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
As I had stated earlier, the rash intensified, after ingesting 3 dephalexin tablets taken over a 36-hour period. Please READ what I write. The dephalexin was discontinued after I experienced the rash plus aches in back and leg muscles: I may have been allergic to it, since I am allergic to penicillin. There has been no fever, or new symptoms over the 3-day period since my fall on the pavement.
sometimes the rash looks like blood just below the skin surface--not so much like a bruise, but like blood released during surgery, beneath a layer of outside skin around the incision; at times there are small swirls of a deeper red in a thin rash.
Instead of the dephalexin capsules, is there some anti-bacterial oral Rx, not related to penicillin (or to sulfa, also a no-no, due to allergy) ?
the symptoms of the penicillin allergy were large, external hives mostly in the groin area and armpits. I was 9 years old when I had them. Nothing like this year's redness.
sometimes the rash looks like blood just below the skin surface--not so much like a bruise, but like blood released during surgery, beneath a layer of outside skin around the incision; at times there are small swirls of a deeper red in a thin rash.
Instead of the dephalexin capsules, is there some anti-bacterial oral Rx, not related to penicillin (or to sulfa, also a no-no, due to allergy) ?
the symptoms of the penicillin allergy were large, external hives mostly in the groin area and armpits. I was 9 years old when I had them. Nothing like this year's redness.
Brief Answer:
possiblity of drug reaction. Use a soothing lotion and oral cetrizine
Detailed Answer:
hi.
going by your previous history of drug reaction to penicillin it seems very probable that your present skin rash is also related to drug allergy specially si.ce penicillin and cephalosporins (cephalexin) can cross react. A different class of oral antibiotics like fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) Or tetracyclines (doxycycline) would be a better option in future if you need to take oral antibiotics.
Presently for the rash you may use a soothing lotion e.g calamine lotion. In addition you may take an oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine tablet once or twice daily. Most of the minor drug reactions resolve in a few days provided the incriminating drug is no longer being consumed.
Regards
possiblity of drug reaction. Use a soothing lotion and oral cetrizine
Detailed Answer:
hi.
going by your previous history of drug reaction to penicillin it seems very probable that your present skin rash is also related to drug allergy specially si.ce penicillin and cephalosporins (cephalexin) can cross react. A different class of oral antibiotics like fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) Or tetracyclines (doxycycline) would be a better option in future if you need to take oral antibiotics.
Presently for the rash you may use a soothing lotion e.g calamine lotion. In addition you may take an oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine tablet once or twice daily. Most of the minor drug reactions resolve in a few days provided the incriminating drug is no longer being consumed.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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